One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
CRL6.8
BRU7.5+0.7
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
CRL5.4
BRU7.0+1.6
Food & retail
Best for
CRL
Ryanair/Wizz point-to-point leisure faresPriority Pass holders who know the T2 door-code ritualTravelers heading to Charleroi or southern Belgium
Watch out for
CRL
Not near central Brussels — Flibco ~55–60 min to MidiPeak queues and Belgian strike days (~180k pax affected in 2025)Classic 100 ml liquids; T2 lounge needs landside voucher
Amenities and tips
CRL
Fast Track securityThe Lounge T1 & T2Flibco to Bruxelles-MidiFree Wi-Fi
CRL · Belgium’s hard-working LCC gateway: 11.3M passengers, €6 Fast Track and twin Priority Pass lounges, undercut by the misleading “Brussels South” name and a coach-only link to the capital.
BRU · Belgium’s main hub: a single terminal over the train station, a cheap official Fast Lane, and two solid paid lounges — while Brussels Airlines’ flagship THE LOFT stays closed into late 2026.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
CRL5.2
BRU6.8+1.6
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
CRL6.0
BRU8.4+2.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
CRL5.5
BRU6.8+1.3
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
CRL5.3
BRU6.8+1.5
BRU
Fast city-centre train from under the terminalStar Alliance connections over BrusselsA published €12.50 Fast Lane
BRU
THE LOFT closed until about November 2026Passport control on Pier B and T-gates€6.90 airport train supplement on top of the SNCB fare
Duty Free & food court
Flibco to Bruxelles-Midi — book online
Flibco Midi ~55′ from €14.99 online; TEC A1 €6 to Charleroi-Central.
€6 Fast Track + classic 100 ml bag
Fast Track €6; still pack the 100 ml liquids bag.
Buy the correct terminal — T2 needs a landside code
PP/paid lounge in T1 & T2; collect T2 door code before security.
BRU
Fast Lane SecurityThe View LoungeDirect trainFree WiFiFamily facilities
2 hours Schengen, 3 hours long-haul
Airport guidance: 2 hours for a European flight, 3 hours intercontinental.
One building, two piers — read the letter
A is Schengen (T-gates at the far end); B is non-Schengen. Walk A↔B is 10–15 minutes plus border control.
Refill after security; do not guess bottle prices
Official free water at EXKi landside, the post-security kiosk, and published Pier A/B refill points.
